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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Crack Ducks

Rare Ancona ducklings

Khaki Campbells, egg laying ducks

I took advantage of the warmth and sunshine and tried to get as much done outside today as possible. I vaccinated the new lambs and kids, gave the rabbit colony a new bed of straw, picked up and unloaded 800 lbs of feed, cleaned the milk room in preparation to start milking the goats again, bred the show rabbits and unburied my desk (Ok , that was inside). Now, I should be in bed, but I have my second (third, fourth???) wind and am wide awake. I'll pay in the morning!

I did stop long enough today to "play" with the ducks. I love ducks. They are cute and funny. They make me laugh and smile no matter what kind of mood I am in. And they are easy to please. You can absolutely make a duck's day with just a hose and a pan of water.

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Note the rooster in the top right trying to squeeze in for a drink

﻿ How many Khaki Campbells fit in a tub-seven to be exact-with no room for more. These young Khakis are playing in their "kiddie pool", the bottom of an old rabbit cage which is shallow enough for the babies to get in and out of. Ducks love water at any time but they seem to derive particular pleasure out of fresh, clean water and a shower from the hose. They splash and flail and quack (well, the females quack, males are silent-hhhmmm).
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Taking a rest after their bath

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A chocolate Ancona, a black Ancona and a Pekin

Rouens and Anconas enjoying the pool

Then they do something that I call "crack duck". It is better then TV, I swear! They fall out of the pool, often flat on their faces and then run around in circles with their wings out. They fall over some more, run into and over each other and in general look like a feathered version of the Keystone Cops. They act like ducks on crack! Actually, they are just ducks high on one of the simple joys of a duck's life-water!

Pork Cuts

Yellow Wolf Farm

About Me

I am a farmer and an artist and I like to write a little bit too! I enjoy the land and the animals, growing plants and how it all fits together so perfectly. Every day is different and most days are an adventure!